"Yes; is that what makes you look so astonished?"
"But then you are English, too?"
"Well, what of that? you won't love me the less, will you?"
"Oh, no," said Ellen; "my own mother came from Scotland, Aunt
Fortune says."
"I am English born, Ellen, but you may count me half American, if you like, for I have spent rather more than half my life here. Come this way, Ellen, and I'll show you my garden. It is some distance off, but as near as a spot could be found fit for it."
They quitted the house by a little steep path leading down the mountain, which in two or three minutes brought them to a clear bit of ground. It was not large, but lying very prettily among the trees, with an open view to the east and south-east. On the extreme edge, and at the lower end of it, was fixed a rude bench, well sheltered by the towering forest trees. Here Alice and Ellen sat down.
It was near sunset; the air cool and sweet; the evening light upon field and sky.
"How fair it is!" said Alice, musingly "how fair and lovely! Look at those long shadows of the mountains, Ellen; and how bright the light is on the far hills! It won't be so long. A little while more, and our Indian summer will be over and then the clouds, the frost, and the wind, and the snow. Well let them come."
"I wish they wouldn't, I am sure," said Ellen. "I am sorry enough they are coming."
"Why? all seasons have their pleasures. I am not sorry at all;
I like the cold very much."